When the 7th installment of the annual ceremony drew to a close, Curious Theatre Company’s spring production of John Logan’s Tony-winning drama, which imagines a verbally volatile and philosophically engaged back-and-forth between the painter Mark Rothko and his fresh-from-the-sticks assistant — had won seven Henrys, including outstanding production of a play, outstanding direction of a play for Christy Montour-Larson, as well as recognition for scenic design, lighting design and sound design.

“Red” also received the award for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a play, although there was just a cast of two: Lawrence Hecht and Benjamin Bonenfant, who won for outstanding supporting actor in a play. Another Curious winner was newcomer Sean Scrutchins for best actor in a play for his searing turn as a Iraq vet in “9 Circles.”

Other Big Winners:
Megan Van De Hey and Tally Sessions won for their leading roles in Arvada Center musicals “Ragtime’ and “Chess.” Toward the end of the evening, Arvada’s artistic director, Rod Lansberry, got some exercise, heading up the stairs to the microphone to accept the award for outstanding musical (“Ragtime”), and outstanding season for a theater company.

Town Hall’s production of “The Who’s Tommy” won Nick Sugar two Henry’s. for outstanding direction and outstanding choreography. Donna Debreceni won for her musical direction. In addition to receiving arguably the loudest ovation, she led the evening’s ace band.

The ingenious Buntport Theatre Company had three shots at winning Outstanding New Play and did so with the the puppet wonder “Tommy Lee Jones Goes to Opera Alone.” Hannah Duggan (“Tommy Lee Jones”) and Erin Rollman (“The Roast Beef Situation” and also the Ceremony’s co-host with Brian Colonna) shared the outstanding supporting actress award.

More, More, Moore

Quite possibly the evening’s loudest burst of cheers in a night full of raucous approval came not for an actor or a director but when theater champion and former Denver Post theater critic John Moore received the inaugural Journalistic Excellence in the Arts honor. If critics are seen as nemesis (and that’s debatable), the relationship of Moore to the Colorado theater community present Monday would have to characterized as “Enemies, A Love Story.” Or just plain ol’ “Love Story.”